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 Hastings-on-Hudson UFSD NYSED Athletic Placement Process (APP) 

The Athletic Placement Process (APP) is a New York State Education Department program that allows 7th & 8th Grade students to be considered for higher-level high school sports teams by proving they have the necessary physical, emotional, and academic readiness. The APP is "aimed at the few select students who can benefit from such placement because of their level of readiness."  The APP is not to be used to fill positions on teams, provide additional experience, provide an opportunity for middle school students when no modified program is offered and/or to reward a student.Decisions to advance 7th and 8th graders must be  consistent, athlete-centered, and done to prioritize safety.

  • Please note if a student has previously completed the APP for a prior season, they are not automatically eligible for advanced play in following seasons without prior recommendation and approval from the Athletic Department and Chief Medical Director. (For example, If a student-athlete passed the APP for the winter, they are not permitted to register for HS sports in the spring without prior approval).
  • At Hastings-on-Hudson UFSD, 7th Grade students may only be elevated to JV level and 8th Grade may be elevated to JV or Varsity level.

Steps to begin the APP process:

  • Step 1 - Students must be recommended by a Hastings Sports-Specific Coach. 
  • Middle School Parents/Guardians/Students may not request that their student-athlete participate at a level higher than their grade-based offering (Modified Sports). Please do not reach out to the coach, athletic office, or health office regarding recommendations.  
  • The Hastings coaching staff will base their recommendations using their professional opinion from past observations and/or knowledge of a student-athlete's specific skill, potential,readiness level,  and overall needs for the program. The Coach will make the recommendation in writing to the Athletic Department. If approved, this recommendation gets forwarded to the Health Office. APP recommendations must be made at least 3 business days prior to APP Fitness Test.
  • The coach should not recommend their own child,  their child needs to get a recommendation from another coach in the program. 
  • Step 2 - APP packet must be obtained from the Athletic Department, which includes the APP Permission form.
  • Step 3 - Parent/Guardian Permission form returned to the Health Office in a timely manner.
  • Step 4 - Current up-to-date Physical complete with adequate maturity scores.
  • Step 5 - The Hastings Chief Medical Director will review and approve or deny the taking of the APP Fitness Test. 
  • The Chief Medical Director will use their professional opinion to determine the student-athletes readiness based on: 
    • the physical maturity level of the student in relation to the sport and level in and at which they wish to participate (see Appendix C and H in NYSED - Athletic Placement Process for Interschools Athletic Programs), using the Tanner Scale. 
    • the size, in height and weight, of the student in relation to the size of the average age and sex of the  students against whom they wish to compete.
    • Review of current up-to-date physical. 
    • Adjust standards and apply stricter maturity, physical development, and skill expectations for contact/collision risk sports. This process safeguards both performance and wellbeing. Only athletes who are physically, emotionally, and socially ready should advance to the high school level.                                        
  • Step 6 - APP Fitness Testing   
  • Conducted by a certified PE teacher not coaching that sport and/or Hastings Athletic Trainer.​​​​​​​
  • Athletes must score at or above the 85th percentile for their age in at least 4 of 5 components.
  • Step 7 - Student-athletes are permitted to participate in tryouts for their sport.​​​​​​​Once they pass the APP Fitness Test.
  • The APP test only affords you the opportunity to "try-out" for the team &  not an automatic spot on the roster.
  • require independent skill evaluation and head coach tryout verification. Approve only if the athlete is likely to play significant minutes/events (≈50%) at the HS level
  • If you are not selected for the JV/Varsity team, you may participate on the Modified team.